I love fragrance – really. I am a true fragrance addict and am proud to say it. I love fragrances for how they make me feel and their ability to uplift my mood or make me feel elegant. My previous fragrance post How to Be Parisian Through Fragrance was so popular that I was inspired to write another one, focusing on none other than the French fragrance house perfumes that grace my shelves, ever so gracefully. So want to know more about how to get that Parisian ‘sexy without trying’ feeling? It all starts with the scent…
Cartier makes beautiful watches but did you know they did a damn fine fragrance too? Cartier La Panthere is not like your other fragrances. The La Panthère is an Eau de Parfum and is a ‘feline-floral accord.’ What that means is that the main note is a floral (gardenia) mixed with more sensual musky tones. The panther is the inspiration behind this fragrance and I can’t argue that the panther is indeed a majestic animal, both fierce and elegant at the same time. If I could think of a famous face that this fragrance embodies it would be Sophia Loren.
The fragrance is for the strong or who want to be strong. It’s confident and sexy and very self-assured. Spritz on liberally while listening to ‘Run The World (Girls)’ by Beyonce. It is quite strong on the first whiff but once it settles on the skin it softens out and becomes more gentle and feminine. This fragrance also lasts and lingers for awhile so if you pay for it, it’s going to run the extra mile for you. The bottle itself is quite heavy and a lot of care has been taken in the packaging which is simple but effective. For the actual scent think gardenia and musk and oat moss to provide a chypre character.
So now we go from the strong to the fresh. Terry de Gunzburg Thé Glacé is a fresh, green scent that reminds me of spring and summer. Terry de Gunzburg imagined this creation in her herb garden, infused with the memories of a tea from Mauritius and what a lovely inspiration indeed! This is a fragrance imagined in summer and made for summer with its energising spiced wood, citrus and musk tones. I really noticed the citrusy notes out of this but it wasn’t your typical citrusy notes – they smell fresher and more invigorating.
Put on your loveliest white floaty dress and spritz this all over – you will feel as light as a feather. This is an Eau De Parfum so is rich and long-lasting. So while this is a spring/summer fragrance it is in an Eau de Parfum format which is usually reserved for colder climes and this is exactly why I like it – it’s about time for a fresh Eau De Parfum that you can wear during the summer and you know the scent will last.
The notes include lime, grapefruit, verbena, tea, almonds, lavender, floral notes, moss and musk – a truly, gorgeous and fresh fragrance.
Now we go to sexy. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium is one of my favourites of all time. This is a floriental which I love with notes of black coffee, white florals, patchouli and vanilla. I don’t know why but I always seem to be drawn to fragrances with patchouli in them – I just really like the smell. This fragrance is great for any day or night – it’s sexy but still sweet. I can really smell the vanilla in this fragrance and it smells delicious! This is a great all-around fragrance you can literally wear any time of the day or night – a go-to fragrance. The bottle is totally rock n’roll with a glittery black case and the size I have below in 50ml is really great for even putting in your handbag and carrying with you. I’ve been wearing this one non-stop since I got it.
Oh Diptyque how I love you. The new Diptyque Eau de Sens fragrance is just…dreamy. Again, this has my favourite note of patchouli in it, combined with orange blossom and juniper berry to keep it fresh. This is a woody floral fragrance and it’s floral without being overly feminine. There is something very fresh and invigorating about this fragrance and if you want to emulate the Parisians this is the scent for you! It ticks all the boxes – sexy, fresh and fun. It’s uplifting and energising and it’s a great fragrance for every day as well and works for both day and night. From the office to date night, it’s there for you. When I went to Paris recently, I wore this the entire time and felt really Parisian. Really, I did!
Next we go to pretty, feminine and just simply beautiful with Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s A La Rose Eau de Parfum. I’m a total sucker for the rose – it is the ultimate classic scent. This fragrance has a real elegance and beauty about it and a scent you could wrap yourself up for days in and never get tired of. This fragrance is a real treat and a real luxury so if you want to treat yourself, then this is the one. Don’t give this one away, this is one to keep for yourself, to sit on your vanity table and to use when you want to feel your prettiest. Not your sexiest but your most elegant and beautiful self. The fragrance contains the Damascena rose from Bulgaria, bergamot from Calabria and orange from California which offers a freshness to the scent.
Speaking of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s A la Rose Eau de Parfum there is also the A La Rose Scented Body Cream. This is great for fragrance layering so after you have had your rose petal bath (I’m totally serious) and treated yourself to a nice glass of rosé wine then it makes sense to treat your body and soul with care and put on the most luxuriously-scented body cream around and then spritz on the fragrance after. This will ensure the scent will last for hours. And trust me, you will feel beautiful.
I love Annick Goutal and so we move to uplifting and energising. The Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien Eau De Toilette is the ultimate uplifter. The great uplifter, I like to call it. Annick Goutal fragrances are really special. There is something truly beautiful and special about each fragrance and you can tell the thought and care that has gone into making these fragrances is real.
This fragrance is so uplifting because it is a citrus scent, perfect for summer! The fragrance is inspired by Annick Goutal’s love of an Italian summer with Sicilian lemon and grapefruit ripened under the Mediterranean sun. This fragrance comes in a beautiful yellow bottle that just gentle nudges one to think of lemons and sunshine. I want nothing more than to pour myself a large Lemoncello on ice and watch the Italian sun set in a ‘happily ever after’ story when I spray this. Another great thing about this fragrance is that both men and women can wear it. So if you want Europe in the summer, this is the one.
I hope you enjoy reading about fragrance as much as I enjoy writing about it!
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